Lubbock, TX

 11/25/21 New Zealand Herald:

Lawyers for a Texas man who shot and killed a woman's ex-husband after a heated confrontation outside their home say the killing was a "justifiable homicide" under the state's self-defence laws.

Police have not laid any charges against William "Kyle" Carruth, who shot and killed Chad Read, 54, in the north-western city of Lubbock on November 5, local media reported.

Two videos of the deadly incident, one released by Read's widow and one by Carruth's lawyers, depict the confrontation between the two men moments before the shooting.

In the videos, Read is seen arguing with a woman, identified as his ex-wife, over a child custody issue.

Carruth tells Read to leave, before stepping back inside the house and returning with a gun.

The men go head-to-head as Read yells at Carruth to "use it, motherf***er because God damn it I'll take it from you and f***ing use it on you".

Carruth steps back and fires a shot into the ground.

Read then grabs the gun and swings Carruth, who steps back off the porch and fires two shots, killing the other man.

 

Lake Worth, FL

5/3/17 Palm Beach Post.  An extraordinarily hard to understand story:

LAKE WORTH  A homeless woman who reportedly used drugs outside a Lake Worth home was at the heart of a fight late Monday that ended with one man being shot and another repeatedly being stabbed, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office records state.

The woman called a friend some time after 10 p.m. Monday and said she’d been punched by Gary Steven White outside a rental community his father manages on Federal Highway. White’s father, who shares his son’s first and last name, told authorities his son began arguing with the woman over her alleged drug use.

Moments after the call, the woman’s friend heard a noise outside his home on North M Street, just west of North Federal Highway.

The man opened his door and saw two men outside the fence. The younger man, the 47-year-old White, entered the home, despite the resident’s orders to stay outside.

The resident shot White in the abdomen. White screamed for his “daddy,” records state.
“Daddy, he shot me,” White reportedly yelled.

His father came running. The older White and the resident struggled over the gun, the resident said, and eventually the resident threw down the firearm.

The resident felt a pain in his back. He then realized he was being stabbed, the police report said.

White (the younger) is being charged.

Texas: Homeowner's one shot lands would-be burglar in ER

Hawkins, Texas

From KLTV of October 19, 2009

Homeowner's one shot lands would-be burglar in ER

It took one shot for an East Texas senior to put an end to a would-be robber's crime spree. The story began around 2am Monday morning at Southside Bank in Hawkins. The branch is located inside Brookshire's, right off Highway 14. That is where police say 19-year-old David McWhorter was spotted, first. We spoke to the homeowner whose one shot landed the alleged burglar in the ER.

"Just...put the gun up to the window, and he was standing there and I pulled the trigger," said the 78-year-old homeowner.

One shot through the window was all it took. Our homeowner didn't mind an on camera interview, but asked his name not be released. He suffers from a hip injury and was sitting in his chair when the suspect broke into his screened porch. He says it is not the first time he has been broken into. Every window is now nailed shut and a baggie full of ammo for his 4-10 single-shot shotgun is always nearby.

"Everything I worked hard for all my life...no one's just going to come in here and take it if I can help it," said the homeowner.

"If you can't retreat, you have every right in the world to protect yourself," said Hawkins Police Lieutenant A.J. Randell.

Randell says while police worked the call at Brookshire's, another call came in about the break-in about a block away. Police say the suspect was found across the street, inside his brother's car with a gun shot wound to the left shoulder.

"He came in, woke him up and said, 'I'd been shot! Take me to the hospital,'" said Randell.

"I'm sorry that it happened, but he shouldn't be trying to break in and trying to steal other people's property," said the 78-year-old. "Protect what's mine, you know?"

And, after 23 years of retired life, our homeowner doesn't plan on moving anytime soon.

Texas: Homeowner shoots would-be burglar

Houston, Texas

From ABC13 of October 16, 2009

Homeowner shoots would-be burglar

A homeowner went for his gun when he heard noises in his backyard in the very early morning hours. In the end, a suspected thief was wounded and running for his life.

It happened on James and Cochran around 2:15am. The homeowner says he fired on the suspect to protect his property.

"We get robbed here all the time, we're used to it living in this neighborhood," said a frustrated homeowner who didn't want to be identified.

Frustrated that he and his neighbors were being repeatedly burglarized, one homeowner made a last minute decision to install a video camera late last night.

"Just wrap it up and so we can catch the guy," said the homeowner.

"You didn't have time to bolt it down, we asked.

"No chance to screw it on or nothing," he said.

Less than three hours later, the camera captured images of a man, allegedly trying to steal something from the front yard. From a neighboring surveillance camera, in the video you can see the burglar running away, just moments after the homeowner opened fire.

"I shot him, but I shot him on his foot. I didn't want to shoot him in the chest or head or anything, he was five feet away from me, I could have shot him between the eyes but I didn't want to kill him," said the homeowner.

The homeowner has owned his revolver for 40 years. He's never had to fire it, not even once, until early this morning.

One single shot through his bedroom window and the suspect was still able to run away but he didn't' get far. Police found and arrested him just a few blocks down the road. Residents in the neighborhood are now breathing a sigh of relief.

"That's good. I'm glad somebody took care of him," said another homeowner.

The video that was captured from the newly installed surveillance camera are now in the hands of the police. It apparently shows the face of the alleged burglar up close. Investigators have not released the suspect's identity.

Texas: Man Shoots Burglar

Corpus Chrisi, Texas

From KIII of September 30, 2009

Man Shoots Burglar

A Corpus Christi man, who says he's been burglarized the last two nights, took the law into his own hands Wednesday morning when a suspected burglar came back for a the third night in a row.

It was around 2:30am when the Garza family heard what they thought was a burglar in their garage.

Henry Garza says, "I was waiting for him, last night about 2 o'clock in the morning he came in, busted my door, in the garage, and got in it again. He run that away and that's when I shot him."

66 year old Henry Garza, who lives near Port and Baldwin wasn't taking any chances. Sunday and Monday night, Garza says burglars got away with his tools, a couple of bicycles, a stereo, and other small items.

So, Tuesday night, Garza and his wife, Mary, were ready. Around 2:30 in the morning they heard noises coming from their garage and Mr. Garza grabbed his single barrel 410 caliber shotgun. Mrs. Garza armed herself with a two by four.

Garza says, "I hit him one time with the gun, like this, and he ran away. My wife was standing there, he him my wife, she had a 2x4, she hit him with a 2x4. That's what made me mad, he pushed my wife around, and that's when I shot him."

Garza thinks he shot the intruder in the back of the leg, but the suspect was able to get away.

Garza says, "I know I hit him, cause he fell."

Mrs. Garza, who was knocked down is going to be ok and as for Mr. Garza says, "I'll be waiting for him here. If he comes tonight, if he's not wounded."

North Carolina: Homeowner opens fire at break-in suspect

Charlotte, North Carolina

From the Charlotte Observer of September 25, 2009

Homeowner opens fire at break-in suspect

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police say a man in the University area spotted someone in his garage early Friday morning and opened fire at the suspect.

According to The Observer's news partner WCNC, the homeowner on Glen Luce Avenue heard a noise around 3:30 a.m.

When the man found the suspect in the garage, police said he shot at the intruder. Investigators found blood outside, but have not located the suspect.

Kentucky: Would-Be Burglar Stopped By Homeowner

Lexington, Kentucky

From WTVQ of September 24, 2009

Would-Be Burglar Stopped By Homeowner

A Lexington man is behind bars after police say he tried to break into the wrong home overnight.

A man says he was taking a shower early this morning at his home on West Fourth Street, when he heard something just outside his house.

He told police he went around to check it out, and saw a man trying to break in through a window. That's when the homeowner grabbed a gun and held the would-be burglar at gunpoint, while he called 9-1-1.

Police later caught up with and arrested Donovan Campbell. He's now in jail, charged with burglary.

That homeowner runs a business out of his home, and he says he was tired of being broken into, so he decided to put a stop to it.

Nevada: Attempted Burglary Ends with Shot Fired at Homeowner

Lemmon Valley, Nevada

From KOLO of September 20, 2009

Attempted Burglary Ends with Shot Fired at Homeowner

Police are investigating after a Lemmon Valley homeowner was shot at by a Sheriff's Deputy while trying to defend his property from a suspected burglar Saturday night.

Rocky Triplett with the Sparks Police Department says just before midnight Saturday, a drunk man, 35-year-old Christopher Pool, entered his neighbor's yard at 430 Paramount Ct. in Lemmon Valley. Pool was allegedly trying to either steal a car or burglarize the home. Pool didn’t know that the homeowners were home at the time.

Police say they received a call to respond to the home after it was reported that a suspicious man had climbed a fence, and was trying to steal a car.

The intruder was drunk and uncooperative when police entered the yard and began questioning him.

According to Police, the homeowners, Vince and Veronica Henderson, were aware of an intruder on their property after seeing him in their yard. Mrs. Henderson quickly turned on lights around the garage. Mr. Henderson grabbed his gun and went after Pool.

Deputies say they saw Mr. Henderson coming around the corner of the garage with a gun and a flashlight in his hands. One of the Deputies shouted at Henderson to drop his gun, but then fearing for his safety, fired a shot towards Henderson. Henderson was not hit.

After realizing that police had arrived, Mr. Henderson put his gun down. He and his wife were briefly detained and questioned. Police then arrested Pool.

No one was injured in the incident.

The Reno Police Department, Washoe County Sheriff's Office and Sparks Police Department are all investigating the incident. The names of the deputies are not being released at this time

Oregon: Chiloquin man shoots intruder

Chiloquin, Oregon

From KTVZ of September 4, 2009

Chiloquin man shoots intruder

Authorities say a Chiloquin man shot and wounded a neighbor who tried to enter his house.

Sheriff Tim Evinger of Klamath County says 24-year-old Calvin Lee Brown used a pair of 18-inch wooden handles to break Monte Rompal's bedroom window, prompting the 77-year-old man to fire a shot.

Evinger says deputies later found Brown at a nearby house - asleep and drunk with a bullet wound to his left upper arm.

Chiloquin Ambulance took Brown to Sky Lakes Medical Center, where he was in stable condition Thursday.

Evinger says Brown will likely be charged with attempted burglary and criminal mischief.

District Attorney Ed Caleb says it's unlikely Rompal will face charges.

Utah: Homeowner shoots suspected prowler in foot

Hyrum, Utah

From the Salt Lake Tribune of August 22, 2009

Homeowner shoots suspected prowler in foot

A Hyrum man shot a suspected would-be burglar near his home early Saturday morning.

The 42-year-old homeowner shot a 20-year-old man once in the foot about 2:30 a.m., said Cache County sheriff's Lt. Chad Jensen.

Deputies responding to a prowler call found the 42-year-old standing in a back doorway, holding the 20-year-old at gunpoint next to a tree on the 500 block of Eagle Ridge Drive. The man said he'd fired one shot, but neighbors reported hearing several.

The suspected prowler, who "appeared to be very intoxicated," was taken to Logan Regional Hospital, treated for his injury and released to deputies.

The incident is under investigation.

Nevada: Armed homeowner fends off possible home invasion

Gardnerville, Nevada

From the Record Courier of August 26, 2009

Armed homeowner fends off possible home invasion

A Gardnerville woman fended off someone who was trying to break into her house early Thursday morning.

According to the Sheriff's Office, the Pin Oak Drive resident was awakened by her dog, who was barking insistently inside her home at 3:20 a.m. The woman said she looked out of the windows, and when she didn't see anything, she armed herself and let the dog out into the backyard.

She said a man approached her quickly in her backyard, but then she pointed her handgun at him and shoved him backward before retreating into her home. She locked the door and called 911. When she returned to the back door, the man began knocking on her rear window.

She yelled that she'd called the Sheriff's Office, and the man ran to the far side of the yard and jumped over the fence.

The man was described as being 6 feet, 2 inches tall, thin with blonde hair. She estimated he was in his late teens or early 20s, wearing black earrings, a dark hooded sweatshirt and dark shorts with yellow writing down the side.

When deputies arrived on the scene, they searched the neighborhood, but did not find the man.

They did find a window screen had been removed from the home's rear window and a fingerprint on the glass.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Douglas County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer, Sgt Jim Halsey, at 782-9931.

Halsey said it's important that residents checking suspicious activity be careful.

“This incident brings to light the importance of safety and vigilance by residents when checking suspicious activity or noises around a residence at any time of the day or night,” he said. “If you have any reservations or misgivings, call 911 and request the sheriff's office respond.”

Mississippi: Police Identify Killed Suspected Burglar

Jackson, Mississippi

From WAPT of August 30, 2009

Police Identify Killed Suspected Burglar

Jackson police say a local grocery store owner shot and killed Lorenzo Rodriguez Jones, 33. He was a Jackson resident.

The shooting happened in the 1400 block of Highway 80 at the Gipson Warehouse.

Police believe Jones was trying to break into the warehouse when the owner shot him in the chest, killing him.

The Gipson Warehouse owner isn't facing any charges because of the Castle Doctrine, JPD Chief Tyrone Lewis said.

The Castle Doctrine allows property owners to protect his/her land and themselves.

Indiana: Armed homeowner stops enraged man

Whiteland, Indiana

From WISH of August 13, 2009

Armed homeowner stops enraged man

A Columbus resident is accused of trying to break into a rural Whiteland home.

Patrick F. Ianni, 33, 4440 Post-horn Court, Columbus, was arrested on charges of residential entry and public intoxication.

At about 1:40 a.m. Thursday, Ianni kicked the door of a rural Whiteland home and broke the door jam but walked away after the owner threatened to shoot him if he entered the home, according to a police report.

"The only smart decision he made was not to enter that home," Johnson County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Doug Cox said. "He's alive today because he didn't enter that house."

Ianni had visited a comedy club in Indianapolis with his girlfriend earlier that night and they got into a fight, according to a police report. He demanded to be let out of the vehicle and she let him out near the Whiteland Road interchange of Interstate 65.

He woke two rural Whiteland residents by pounding on their door. He claimed he was a police officer who wanted to ask them a question.

The homeowner warned Ianni that he had a gun and would shoot him if he entered the house and Ianni responded that he had a knife and would stab the homeowner.

A sheriff's deputy found Ianni staggering down the road with a bloody nose and he asked the officer if he could give him a ride.

Ianni yelled at officers, threat-ened to beat them up and told them he was a Federal Bureau of Investigation agent who just wanted to ask the homeowners a question, according to the police report. The sheriff's office checked with the FBI, who confirmed that Ianni isn't an agent.

He's being held at the Johnson County jail on $4,000 bond.

California: A Palm Desert man stops attempted burglary

Palm Desert, California

From the Desert Sun of July 11, 2009

A Palm Desert man stops attempted burglary

Palm Desert homeowner helped stop an attempted burglary of his home early Saturday morning.

At 3:40 a.m., the homeowner awoke to sounds of a window breaking toward the front of his home in the 43-600 block of Louisiana Street, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department officials.

The man saw two people standing in front of his home. He then armed himself with a pistol and chased the suspects as they fled north toward a golf course.

The man fired one shot, which caused the suspects to surrender until Palm Desert police officers arrived.

Steven Flores, 18, of Palm Desert, and a 16-year-old male teenager from Rancho Mirage were arrested on suspicion of attempted burglary. Flores is in the county jail in Indio and the male teenager is at a juvenile detention facility in Indio.

The name of the juvenile is not being released because of his age, officers said.

Georgia: Homeowner Exchanges Gunfire With Would-Be Robber

Atlanta, Georgia

From WSBTV of July 9, 2009

Homeowner Exchanges Gunfire With Would-Be Robber

A quiet night in front of the television ended with a shoot-out in southwest Atlanta. A homeowner was in the hospital Thursday morning as police searched for the would-be robber.

Officials said a homeowner will recover after suffering a gunshot wound to the ear during a gun battle when someone tried to break into his home.

A shoot-out on Westmont Road between a homeowner and a would-be robber woke up several people in the neighborhood.

"I guess I would say about 15 to 20 rounds was exchanged," said neighbor Otis Holliman.

The homeowner told Channel 2 Action News her husband was in the living room watching television when he heard a noise outside the house. He grabbed his gun to check it out and that's when the gun battle erupted.

The husband was shot once in the right ear and was rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital.

Crime scene investigators found several bullet casings and a gun.

"The guy dropped the gun that was shooting at her husband," said Holliman.

The suspect got away.

Holliman said criminals have been targeting his neighbors since they moved in.

"I think the house has been broken into three or four different times here recently," said Holliman.

Doctors said the victim is in stable condition. The victim's wife said once her husband gets out of the hospital, they plan to move.

Kentucky: Lexington doctor killed in shooting

Clark County, Kentucky

From WKYT of July 26, 2009

Lexington doctor killed in shooting

Police are investigating a deadly shooting over the weekend, involving a well known doctor in Lexington.

27NEWSFIRST has learned Rodney Mann was shot and killed Sunday outside a home on Four Mile Road in Clark County. We're learning more information into what may have brought Dr. Mann to that home in Clark County.

The doctor, himself, recently contacted 27NEWSFIRST about an issue that sources now say may have led to the shooting.

About a month ago, Dr. Mann contacted NEWSFIRST about an incident he had in the parking lot of Sam's Club in which he says a man keyed his car after an altercation. The damage was said to have cost Dr. Mann $1,100 worth of damage to his Acura.

Police say Dr. Mann then went to the man's home in Clark County and began to slash the tires to his car. The homeowner caught Mann slashing the tires on his truck and came out to confront him.

Police say Mann had two guns and a knife on him and say during the fight the owner was able to get one gun away from him and shoot him.

At Mann's doctor office, Thoroughbred Allergy and Asthma off Richmond Road, a note says all appointments on Monday have been canceled.

The doctor has been featured in a number of stories here on 27NEWSFIRST and was just a guest on our afternoon show three weeks ago.

Police have not charged the man who pulled the trigger. They're investigating if the shooting was in self defense.

Mann grew up in Corbin and graduated from UK and the University of Louisville Medical School.

Dr. Mann served patients at both of his offices in Lexington and in Corbin.

Texas: Harris man fatally shoots teen at home

Harris County, Texas

From the Houston Chronicle of June 18, 2009

Harris man fatally shoots teen at home

A homeowner who had twice ordered a teenager to leave the property — once while holding a rifle — shot the teen dead after the boy refused to leave and walked toward him, authorities said.

“He feared for his life,” said Harris County sheriff’s Lt. Rolf Nelson.

Dwayne Austgen, 69, was inside his north Harris County home in the 5500 block of Susanna around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday when he noticed a teenager in his front yard, officials said. The man went outside, confronted 17-year-old Vidal Herrera, and told him to leave, authorities said.

After the teen left the property, Austgen noticed Herrera had left a crack cocaine pipe, officials said. Austgen then went back inside his home, taking the pipe with him, officials said.

A short while later, Herrera returned to the home, confronted Austgen about the pipe, and the pair argued, officials said. Austgen, this time holding a rifle, again ordered the teen to leave, officials said.

Herrera began to walk away but then approached the homeowner, who fired the .22-caliber rifle, striking the teen in the abdomen, officials said. Herrera was taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital, where he died.

The case will be referred to a Harris County grand jury without charges.

Austgen could not be reached for comment.

(More)

Indiana: Gunshot scares off intruder

Richmond, Indiana

From the Palladium Item of May 30, 2009

Gunshot scares off intruder

A Richmond woman thwarted a break-in early Friday by firing a warning shot from a gun.

"She confronted him at the door," Richmond Police Chief Kris Wolski said Friday. "She fired one shot to scare the person off."

Wolski doesn't think the incident is linked to a series of home invasions and sexual assaults of women that have plagued Richmond for about two years.

The 41-year-old female resident in the 200 block of North 21st Street heard a noise and rushed to get the semiautomatic gun, he said. Wolski said her possession and use of the gun was lawful.

Police were called to the scene at 1 a.m. The suspect was wearing a baseball cap under a hoodie, but that's about all the victim could see, Wolski said.

"Hopefully the neighbors saw something," he said. "We're doing more scene processing and getting statements."

At least eight attacks have been attributed to a man who stands about 5 feet 5 inches and strikes in the early morning hours while wearing a mask and dark hoodie.

Four more attacks are possibly linked. His female victims have ranged from a teen-ager to an 81-year-old woman.

Wolski acknowledged that the attacks are on the minds of residents, including Friday's victim.

"She was aware of the other incidents," he said. "Everyone is at a heightened level of awareness."

The police department is getting numerous calls each day with tips about potential suspects in the attacks.

"I think we are making headway," Wolski said.

Pennsylvania: Oakmont police nab shirtless, tipsy home intruder

Oakmont, Pennsylvania

From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review of May 27, 2009

Oakmont police nab shirtless, tipsy home intruder

Oakmont police said they arrested an intoxicated man early Sunday as he attempted to enter a house in which the owner had armed himself.

The man, Brian Adam Witkovitz of Elicker Road, Plum, gave no statements and indicated no motive as to why he tried to enter two houses in the 600 block of Ninth Street about 3 a.m., according to the police report.

Police said officers responded about 30 seconds after the owner of a house called the Allegheny County emergency dispatcher to report a burglary in progress. Officer Joseph Cattani observed Witkovitz, who was shirtless, open the storm door to the attached garage, according to police.

Despite instructions to the contrary from the dispatcher, the homeowner had armed himself in anticipation of meeting the intruder.

Cattani, backed up by another officer, entered the garage and subdued Witkovitz without incident before the suspect entered the house.

Witkovitz has been charged with burglary, criminal attempt, public drunkenness, loitering and prowling at night, disorderly conduct, criminal trespass and simple trespass. He is free on a non-monetary bond.

Oakmont Police Chief Dave DiSanti praised his officers for their quick response.

"They managed to keep the burglar from bumping into the armed homeowner," he said. "You can see how bad it would have been, had there been a confrontation. It took a lot of fortitude for Cattani to enter the garage."

Texas: Local man reacts to an almost home invasion

Lubbock, Texas

From KCBD of May 13, 2009

Local man reacts to an almost home invasion

A local man wants your help finding two men who tried to break into his house, and he caught the almost home invasion on his web cam.

Many people would be frightened if they were at home and someone tried to break in, but Andy Hartman says he stayed calm because he had a weapon, and he knew the rules on when and how to use it. "I heard somebody knock on the door, and rang the doorbell. I thought it was just a salesman so I kind of ignored it," Hartman said.

Every day when he gets home from work Hartman puts his wallet, keys, phone and gun on the kitchen counter. He carries his gun with him where ever he goes, and last Wednesday, he almost had to use it in the comfort of his own home.

Hartman's home web cam taped someone kicking his back door repeatedly. In the video, you can see the shutters shake each time the person kicks. Hartman grabbed his phone, his gun and called 911. "I'm in my bedroom with a gun. They're breaking in my house," he said in the 911 call.

While waiting for police, Hartman stayed in a back room and listened as the intruder kicked his door more than 20 times. "The officers will want you to put the gun up once they're there, but it's okay obviously for you to have it while they're still breaking in," the 911 operator told him.

Hartman says he was able to stay calm because he knew exactly what to do. He took a concealed handgun class in January. "You know when you can and cannot use the gun, and when it's time to use it you know how to use it," he said.

The woman who led the class Andy took, Gay Lynn Stone, says, "The rules of deadly force for the state of Texas, it just simply says if your life is threatened or the life of another person is threatened then y ou have the right to protect you or that person."

Stone says because Texas' handgun laws are written loosely, he probably could legally shoot the intruder even before they entered the house, but she thinks Hartman made the right decision in waiting for the police. "He did exactly what he was supposed to do, and he treated it as if the use of deadly force would be the last resort," she said.

Police arrived in less than three minutes, but the suspects got away. Probably better for him than if he had made his way into the house. When asked if he would have shot the intruder Hartman said, "Absolutely. No question in my mind."

The police still have not caught the suspects, but Hartman believes two Hispanic males in their early 20s driving a gray Dodge Neon were involved.